Attachment for the plates of artificial teeth.



H. T. McGOWAN ATTACHMENT FOR THE PLATES 0F ARTIFICIAL TEETH. APPLICATIONFILED MAYTO,1915.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

HERBERT THOMAS MCGOWAN, OF PRAHRAN, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

ATTACHMENT FOR'THE PLATES OF ARTIFICIAL TEETH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

Application filed. May 10, 1915. Serial No. 27,161.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT THOMAS MoGowAN, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain and Ireland, and a resident of Prahran, in the county ofBourke, State of Victoria, Commonwealth of Australia, (whose post-officeaddress is 326 Malvern road, in the said city of Prahran,) have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for the Plates ofArtificial Teeth, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to artificial teeth carried by a plate andpertains to those cases where the patient possesses natural teeth inconjunction with which the plate is worn. Hitherto it has been usual forthe plate to be supported or bear against the gums of the mouth with theresult that very accurate fitting is essential to the wearers comfortand in time the gums shrink causing discomfort and sometimesnecessitating a new plate. Without special treatment it is alsoimpracticable to provide a person with a plate which can be worn incomfort before the gums have healed after extraction of the naturalteeth. Further, a person can but rarely use artificial teeth effectivelyfor some considerable time after fitting when carried by a plate, owingto the un-natural pressure of the plate upon the gums.

The object of this invention is to provide for the relief or removal ofthe pressure of the plate upon the gums and to communicate the saidpressure to the natural teeth. By the invention, further, a plate neednot bear closely against the gums as hitherto, shrinking of the gumsbeing thereby reduced to a minimum. Still further the extreme accuracypreviously required in fitting a plate is not necessary and a patientmay wear a plate sooner after extraction of his natural teeth. The useof the artificial teeth is also increased as pressure applied in use isgreatly absorbed by the natural teeth.

Referring to the drawings which form part of this specificationFigure 1is an enlarged sectional view of-an attachment according to theinvention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectionalplan of Fig. 2 taken on line AA. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of Fig. 1.Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a modified anchor of the attachment.Fig. 6 is a sectional plan of Fig. 5, taken on line BB. Fig. 7 is a rearelevation of an attachment showing a further modification. Fig. 8 is aplan of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showmg' a lower jaw platecarrying artificial teethand a plurality of attachments for suspend ngthe plate to the natural teeth re maining in the jaw. In the view aseries of recesses to accommodate the natural teeth are seen between theattachments. Fig. 10 s a perspective view showing the plate seen 1n Fig.9 suspended to the natural teeth. Fig. 11 is a front elevation of anattachment having a plurality of caps. Fig. 12 is a sectional view ofFig. 11, taken on line CC. Fig. 13 is a front elevation of an attachmenthaving a plurality of connecting portions. Fig. 14: is a sectional viewof Fig. 13, taken on line D-D.' Fig. 15 is a sectional plan taken online EE Fig. 13, showing the anchor of one of the connecting portions.

The invention is only useful in those cases where the patient possesessome natural teeth and is inapplicable to those cases where all of thenatural teeth have been extracted.

In the drawings natural teeth are indicated by 2. Within the mouth is aplate 8, of any ordinary nature. The plate carries artificial teeth 4Ldisposed between the natural teethQ.

The invention consists (Figs. 1 to 10) in an attachment having aconnecting portion 5 the inner end of which is provided with an anchorwhereby it is retained to the plate 3. The anchor may consist of anout-turned tongue 6. Or a plurality of opposed tongues 7 may beprovided, the number and position of the tongues depending upon theposition of the attachment with regard'to the plate. Instead of tonguesbeing used the anchor may consist of a curved pin 8 having outturnedends 9.

The outer end of the connecting portion 5 is integral with the side 10of a cap having a crown 11. The number of attachments carried by a platewill depend upon circumstances. The height of the side of the cap ofeach attachment will also vary with circumstances. It may, if desired,envelop the whole of a tooth above the gum. Each attachment ispreferably cast in gold but may be formed in any other way and from anysuitable material. Instead of a single cap being provided with eachattachment a plurality of caps may be employed, as seen in Fig. 11. Adivision wall 12 may then depend from the crown of the attachmentseparating each cap from its fellow. The anchor may also be formed byexpressed tongues 13 which may be opposed, or disposed in oppositedirections. W hen an attachment is used incon jlunction withv a, molaror large tooth the said cap consists of an outer side 14, an inner side15, an outer end 16, and an inner end 17; Extending between the sidesand ends is a crown 18- conforming to the conformation of the top of thetooth. The outer side 11 may have portion thereof removed (Fig. 13 as,indicated at 19,. in order that as little gold, as possible will be seenIntegral with the inner side 1'51are1 the outer ends. of a plurality oficonnecting portrons-20: each having an inner end provided withan ancholuEachanchor' may consist oi a pluralityofi out -turnedopposedl tongues21.

With this invention, as: shown Fig. 10,. a plate is provided with aseries of attach ments each: having: a' cap. adapted to fitwor seat:upon a naturaltooth. The invention is particularly intended for use withlower jaw plates. but may: be used-with upperplates also as in eithercase it may prevent the, plate.

stances surrounding each individual case and upon the taste of thewearer orpatient.

Having now described my'invention what I claim asnew' and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is I 1.. An attachment for plates of'artificialteeth comprising a cupped portion, which is adapted to. fit over the topof a natural tooth one side of cupped portion being extended to form anattaching means for the plate. 2-. An attachment for plates ofartificial teeth comprising a cupped portion. which is adapted to fitover the top; of a natural tooth and a plate attaching portion, theplate attaching portion beingprovided' witha plurality or anchoringspurs.

3. Improvements. in attachments lior the plates of artificial teeth;consisting in; the

combination of anattacllnaent. having means tor securing the sameto-theplate and a cap carried by the said attachment.

Anv attachment 1011 the plates of artificial' teeth consisting; inthecombination. ot a connecting portion ha l-ting an anchor; at its.

inner end and cap. at its outer: end.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aifi xed-my: signature in the,presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERBERT THGMAS' MOIOJVAN;

Witnesses:

Gnorn. W. Ln Pmsrnien, VIo'roR J. KnLsoN.

pies; of; this: patent may be obtained: for five: cents each; byaddressingtne Commissioner of Patents,

Washington-,3. G. v

